MUSEUM
2110 South Post Road
West Point, NY 10996
845-938-3590
What’s there? An awesome arms and weapons collection,
exhibits on U.S., West Point and military history, fun facts in science,
engineering and space exploration, an outstanding art and statuary collection
with a concentration in Hudson River School artists.
Who is it for? Originally founded as a repository of
military artifacts and documents for the benefit of the West
Point cadets, the museum quickly became a popular stop for
visiting tourists in the second half of the 19th century. Today it continues to welcome all visitors, “ages
8-80” as the director, David Reel, puts it, as well as group tours and Scouts,
even as it continues to serve its primary function as a teaching tool for the
cadets and a source of support for military personnel and their families.
Where is it? Housed primarily in Olmstead Hall, adjacent
to the Visitors Center
at the West Point Military Academy
campus in Highland Falls, NY. Additional exhibits at Fort Putnam
and Constitution Island open seasonally; cannon display
at Trophy Point most easily accessible with paid West Point Tour (see below).
When is it open? The main
museum is open 362 days a year from 10:30 to 4:15; it is closed on
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
However, the museum is subject to closure for inclement weather or other
unforeseen events, so it’s always best to call ahead or check on its Facebook
page to make sure it’s open.
How much will it cost
you? Admission to the museum, Fort Putnam
and Constitution Island is free; parking is free. Tours of the West Point
campus, the easiest way to see the cannon at Trophy Point, are $13.00 per
person for adults and $10.00 for children 2-11(www.westpointtours.com).
Why should you go?
I have to admit to a fondness of swords and martial arts,
not to mention Revolutionary War history, and in fact, anything pre-twentieth
century America. Plus, I have a son who, like most 15 year old
boys, absolutely loves anything that shoots, stabs, slashes and explodes. So,
on a late summer afternoon, in an attempt to wrest him away from the nineteen
millionth level of his blow ‘em up/shoot ‘em up video game, I decided it was time
to head on over to the West Point Museum for a look at the real thing.
Down below we ambled through the large weapons gallery where we viewed mortars dating back to the American Revolution displayed adjacent to armored tanks, their modern counterparts. It was chilling and thrilling to stand before the black bloated belly shaped casing that once housed a nuclear bomb similar to that which destroyed Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The museum presents many such thought-provoking moments.
Other notable artifacts include a pair of George Washington's pistols, hand stitched military flags, including some from the Confederacy, and personal possessions of such wartime anti-heroes as Napoleon, Frederick the Great, and Hermann Goering. Several paintings from the museum’s large Hudson River School collection were on display as well--Hudson River School artist Robert Weir was the West Point drawing instructor for over 40 years. A visitor could also learn about the many contributions from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Army in peacetime, including scientific and medical advances.
The museum tour is self-guided, and really, no map or pamphlet is needed since the accompanying commentaries and explanations are particularly well-written and engrossing. For the younger set, however, the gift shop offers a $2.00 scavenger hunt pamphlet that serves as a guide while keeping kids engaged and motivated--the completed hunt can be redeemed for a small prize.
And speaking of gift shops, what visit to a museum would be complete without one? Of course, visiting the gift shop usually results in making a purchase, which, you’d think, defeats the purpose of a “free” activity. But then, let’s be realistic, especially if you are visiting with kids. Fortunately, the Daughters of the U.S. Army gift shop at the museum has many items for all budgets. The large bear in the cadet uniform at $56.95 was pretty pricey, if adorable, but there's a smaller bear in a t-shirt at a more reasonable $16.95. I like stuff that's useful and quirky, like the “White House ParTea,”($10.95) which comes with 5 teabags, each sporting a different president’s likeness, or the West Point vintage postcard desk calendar ($12.95). The gift shop inventory is always changing to include even more unique and affordable items.All proceeds go towards supporting the charitable work of the Daughters of the US Army, including their donations to West Point and the museum. www.dusagiftshop.org., (845) 446-3085.
